ACTING-PREMIER INTERVIEWED.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 132, 7 June 1906, Page 3

ACTING-PREMIER INTERVIEWED.

MR MOORE'S CHARGES RESENTED. INSPECTORS PAID BY IHE GOVERNMENT. ROYAL COMMISSION UNNECES- ": ■ sary. ~ •■•■.-■ WELLINGTON, June 6. The Acting-Premier (the Hon. W. HallrJones) says that -he would not take Mr Moore's charges seriously. A most unjustifiable reflection had-been cast upon, a-large body of men who were engaged as inspectors of stock,' and he resented -the' suggestion that they had been guilty of. receiving bribes. .Whatever might be the case in regard to local slaughter-houses, which are not' inspected by the Government, lie resented any imputations being cast upon so important, an industry as the. meat industry"'- With regard to what, had been said about slovenly inspection, Mr Hall-Jones pointed out that it might have referred to what happened some years ago. It was only since 1900 that compulsory, inspection of meat-works had been brought into force. Prior to that time it was optional with a company to have an inspector or not. As to inspectors being paid by the companies, the Act-ing-Premier pointed out that they ' were appointed by the Government, their salaries were voted by Parliament, and they were paid direct by the Department. All that the companies did was to pay fees on stock killed at their works. Those fees were not paid to the inspectors, but collected by .the Department. Asked, as to whether he thought a Royal Commission necessary, the Act-ing-Premier said: "We have no information before us that in the slightest degree suggests the desirability of any Commission of Inquiry into the matter of inspection of meat-works which are under the control of the Government." He added that he believed the inspectors were men of honour, who realised their responsibilities, and'carried out their duties satisfactorily. That could be proved by the agricultural reports issued each year, in which were published the numbers of stock condemned, throughout the Colony as being unfit for consumption.